What does 2 Corinthians 5:21 mean?

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For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Explanation

2 Corinthians 5:21 speaks to the heart of the Christian message, articulating a profound truth about the nature of Jesus and His role in human salvation. The verse states that God made Jesus, who was sinless, to be “sin” for us so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. This refers to the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus takes on the sin of humanity and offers His righteousness in return.

The phrase “made him to be sin” does not imply that Jesus became sinful, but rather that He took on the consequences of sin. The term “who knew no sin” emphasizes the sinless nature of Jesus, an essential aspect of His qualification to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. The result of this substitution is that believers are “made the righteousness of God in him,” which means that through Jesus, they are put into a right relationship with God, taking on Christ’s righteousness as their own.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, written around A.D. 55-57. The church in Corinth was facing various challenges, including doctrinal confusions, moral issues, and questions about Paul’s apostolic authority. Paul addresses a number of issues in this letter, focusing on the ministry of reconciliation and the concept of being a new creation in Christ. The Corinthians lived in a Greco-Roman world with diverse religious views and practices, and Paul’s teachings were revolutionary and counter-cultural.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, 2 Corinthians 5:21 is pivotal in understanding the doctrine of justification by faith. In reformed theology, it underscores the belief in the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers. Catholicism also acknowledges the redemptive work of Christ but integrates this with the church’s sacramental system and the necessity of cooperating with grace. Liberation theology might emphasize the verse’s potential implications for social justice and the transformative power of taking on the burdens of others. Each viewpoint interacts with the idea of Christ’s sacrifice and its impact on the believer’s spiritual state.

Practical Applications

This verse is foundational for how Christians perceive their identity and purpose. It implies that believers are to live transformed lives, embodying the righteousness they receive through Christ. Practical applications might include living ethically, cultivating a personal relationship with God, and engaging in acts of service and reconciliation. It also speaks to the dynamic of grace, encouraging believers to extend forgiveness, as they have been forgiven.

Cross-References

Romans 3:25: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Galatians 3:13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

Language Study

The phrase “made him to be sin” uses the Greek word “ἁμαρτίαν” (hamartian), which generally means sin, a departure from doing what is right. In this context, the word likely stands for a sin offering, reflecting the language of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. “Knew no sin” uses the Greek word “ἔγνω” (egnō), meaning to know or to be acquainted with, emphasizing Jesus’ complete separation from sin. “We might be made” is from the Greek “γενώμεθα” (genōmetha), which is a subjunctive form signaling potential or intent, not necessarily completed action.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This concept of a sinless figure taking on the burden of sin can be paralleled in various mythological narratives where a hero endures suffering or takes on a challenge for the betterment of others. However, in Christian theology, this act is unique because it is not just a noble deed but a divine provision for the redemption of humanity. Comparative religious studies might examine similar figures in other faiths, such as the concepts of atonement, sacrifice, and intercession found in many world religions.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific viewpoints typically do not intersect directly with theological concepts of sin and atonement, as these are spiritual and metaphysical ideas. However, psychological sciences examine the effects of guilt, forgiveness, and moral behavior on human well-being. From a psychological standpoint, belief in the transformative power of forgiveness and receiving a new identity, as suggested by this verse, could be associated with positive mental health outcomes.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians have written extensively on 2 Corinthians 5:21. Classic commentaries by John Calvin, for example, interpret the verse as central to understanding the righteousness that comes by faith alone and not by works. More contemporary commentaries, such as those by NT Wright, might focus on the historical and social implications of the verse and its relevance to understanding Pauline theology on justification and reconciliation. Modern-day theologians continue to debate the scope and mechanism of atonement described in this verse, with various interpretations suiting different doctrinal convictions.